Plans

Current Projects - November 2025

Housing Choice Code Amendment

Thornton's City Development Department has kicked off the Housing Choice Code Amendment. This project focuses on exploring the tools available to increase housing choice in the city and meeting local housing goals. Fill out the survey and find more information on the Housing Choice Code Website(opens in new window).

The Development Code Update has been Approved!

After two years of research, drafting, and outreach, the new Thornton Development Code was approved by City Council on second reading at the August 12th, 2025 meeting. The updated Development Code modernizes development standards, streamlines the development review process, incorporates more opportunities for public outreach, and makes innovative approaches to development and redevelopment. Overall, the new standards are more objective and straightforward while also allowing for reasonable flexibility.

Application Submittals

Beginning September 1, 2025
The new Development Code takes effect on September 1, 2025. Please refer to the information regarding treatment of application submittals available on the City Development page.

Different Types of Plans

Carpenter Park Lakes and Boathouse Aerial View

Thornton Comprehensive Plan

The Comprehensive Plan establishes goals, major strategies and key policies for Thornton’s neighborhoods, future jobs, and potential amenities. It also serves as an advisory document for development in the city.
Photograph of First Street and the frontages abutting it in the Eastlake neighborhood of Thornton.

Subarea Plans

Long Range Planning develops subarea plans addressing specific areas in more detail than the Comprehensive Plan, with its "big picture" perspective. These detailed plans often incorporate a vision for future land use, growth and development.
Photograph of Thornton Crossroads Station from the train platform.

Station Area Master Plans

Station Area Master Plans seek to capitalize on the opportunities of the N-Line Commuter Rail and provide a vision and planning framework for future private development and public investment in the areas directly surrounding the transit stations.
Niver Open Space

Functional, Strategic, and Master Plans

Master plans serve as more detailed, functional documents designed to supplement specific topics addressed in the Thornton Comprehensive Plan such as transportation, utilities, or parks and open space.
Miller's Market in the Thornton Shopping Center

Urban Renewal Plans

Urban Renewal Plans promote economic vitality by using tax increment financing to spur redevelopment activities that would otherwise not occur.

Additional Planning Resources

Current Projects
Historic Preservation Planning
Population and Demographics
Current Planning and Zoning